Enough Already! It Takes More Than Sunscreen to Beat Melanoma

As we wrap up melanoma awareness month this May with sunshine filled plans for the summer ahead, can we please, PLEASE stop with all the half truths and mis-information about the causes and prevention of melanoma?

Can we address how it’s NOT only due to UV exposure? How prevention requires much more than sunscreen? Can we please, PLEASE address its prevalence in adolescents and especially young adults? Can step beyond the obvious and dive into reality?

Perhaps it’s the journalist in me who believes in hard, cold facts.  Perhaps it’s my lot as a grieving, ticked-off parent and melanoma prevention advocate but I have had it!   Through social media, news coverage and advertising every May we are continually inundated with one prevention message; slather on the sunscreen and melanoma won’t find you. Actually, nothing is further from the truth! While exposure to the sun’s UVA/UVB rays is the MOST common cause of skin cancers and melanoma, it is NOT  the ONLY cause. 

Did you know genetics and hormonal changes related to hypothyroidism, pregnancy and puberty can prompt development of melanoma?  Should you draw the unlucky gene or hormonal card, all the sunscreen in the world won’t stop the beast; but routine skin screenings can. If a problematic mole is removed at the very earliest stages there is a 98% chance of surviving past five years. But as the Melanoma Research Alliance reports should the melanoma reach a higher stage and spread internally through the body, the five year survival rate drops to less than 25%

Last I checked, all humans have skin. I’d say that’s well worth 15 minutes in a paper gown.

The Skin Cancer Foundation reports skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. It is also one of the most treatable cancers if it is detected early.  So why is there such an orchestrated pushback against routine skin screenings in the United States whereas in countries such as Australia and New Zealand it is as routine as a dental appointment? 

Perhaps because in the U.S., melanoma is not given its due among serious cancers.

Consider recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force which every Spring, releases a report on the effectiveness and need of skin screenings for melanoma and other skin cancers. It’s important to note, the USPSTF, according to their website, is a collection of “16 nationally recognized experts in prevention, evidence-based medicine, and primary care. Their fields of practice and expertise include behavioral health, family medicine, geriatrics, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and nursing.”  Note not one is a dermatologist. Not one. Additionally, physicians in primary care and these other specialties are not exposed to dermatology as part of routine medical training. Why does that matter? Because dermatologists are the only medical professionals trained in the early detection of melanoma and other skin cancers. 

Last month, the USPSTF reinforced its earlier statement from 2016 finding inconclusive evidence as to whether or not skin screenings for those “without signs or symptoms” are effective for reducing complications or death from skin cancers or melanoma in adolescents and adults. The report concluded it was a wash; screenings could work or they could not.  Without symptoms? Really? Let’s look at this a little closer. By the time those “signs or symptoms” are noticed by the naked eye of a patient, if even noticed at all, it most likely is a problem. Add to that a 3-4 month wait for an evaluation and biopsy and a patient could be looking at a full blown case of melanoma with risk of metastasis to other organs.  If the same mole is detected in a routine screening, by a dermatologist trained in dermoscopy, the changes could be detected at the very earliest stage when it is 98% treatable, long before it has spread into the body. Yes, the patient will have a biopsy scar, but most likely no additional surgeries, drug therapies or negative impact on their life.

Even more mind-blowing is that in 2022, the USPSTF found melanoma was “over-diagnosed”. Let’s think for just a moment about that statement. How is a cancer over-diagnosed? Either you’ve got it or you don’t! The argument in that report was primary care physicians found while more patients were being diagnosed with early stage melanoma through routine screenings, fewer were dying of the disease. And that’s a problem? Isn’t survival something to cheer about? Did the USPSTF apply the same argument to preventive colon cancer, breast cancer or prostate cancer screenings which are much more invasive and costly? Of course not! It supports routine screening for these cancers because without question early detection of polyps, atypical moles and tumors is essential to beating all cancers.

These statements from the USPSTF complicates an already muddled message in melanoma prevention and adds to a broken system which claims lives daily such as that of my 17 year old daughter Claire Wagonhurst.

Our Claire was a beautiful 14 year old athlete and artist just beginning high school when we noticed unusual changes to a mole. She was sun safe and had been screened six months earlier by a dermatologist, but this was something new.  Despite our urgency to have the changing mole removed we faced a three month wait with the promise that “kids don’t get melanoma”. Surprise! Yes they do! Because melanomas are more aggressive and invasive in young people, it had quickly surged to stage 3a at removal.  We were blindsided even more so when we learned Claire’s melanoma had nothing to do with the sun. 

Ultimately, Claire was diagnosed with adolescent melanoma. The short version is this; hormonal changes related to puberty caused her melanoma. The longer version; routine hormonal changes in puberty prompted the development of hypothyroidism in her body which produced excess levels of TSH hormone. Add to that she had an extreme TSH hormone receptor in a mole that had been on her ankle since birth. A research oncologist at MD Anderson found that in Claire’s case, the two components meshed to develop melanoma. Subsequently during the course of her diagnosis, every time her TSH levels became elevated, another mole would be found to be rapidly changing and need to be removed. The best preventive treatment;  routine screenings every 3 months to remove any atypical moles before melanoma could set in in addition to ongoing sun safe practices.  We just accepted it as a chronic condition of her life. Sadly, it became much, much more. 

While living a full teenaged existence, Claire waged a three year battle of surgeries, hospitalized drug therapies and recovery therapies against what turned out to be an ultimate death sentence. All her pain, anxiety and loss would have been negated had the mole simply been biopsied and removed months earlier as we requested. If the medical profession had been fully educated about melanoma in young people. If, If, If!  The system failed our darling daughter and she isn’t alone.

The Skin Cancer Foundation reports melanoma is the most common cancer in young adults under 30,  the most common cause of cancer death in young women 25-30 years and the second most common cancer in adolescents 13 to 19 years. 

Melanoma in young people is said to be at “epidemic” proportions with diagnosis up 253% in the last 40 years.  Additionally, young people do not get the more treatable basal cell or squamous cell skin cancers;  they only get the nasty, deadly variety; melanoma.

At the Claire Marie Foundation, we share awareness information, prevention education and host free skin screening events for adolescents in young adults in Maryland and South Carolina. Since 2016, we have screened 1,440 young people 13-29 years, finding 16% needed biopsy for suspicion of melanoma. In many cases, early stage melanomas were detected, zapped before further treatment was needed.  So please, do not tell me routine skin screenings do not save lives. I’ve witnessed the victories and I have suffered the loss.

So how about this? Instead of ignoring the need for screenings due to lack of access,  let’s fix our broken system.  We need general practitioners such as those in the  USPSTF to follow the lead of other nations by including dermatology in their training and become skilled in the screening process of dermascopy.  By joining dermatologists in this expertise entirely new pathways to screenings and early detection would be created. Getting a skin screening could become as easy as a visit to the dentist. Wouldn’t that be amazing?

  Remember, if you’ve got skin, you could get melanoma. Know all the facts and take every precaution. That life you save could be your own or someone you love. #livelifelikeclaire

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More Evidence of Why Melanoma Is of Special Risk to Young People

You’ve heard us share the statistics again and again; melanoma is one of the most common cancers in adolescents and young adults – or AYA’s as they are called. Now new research reinforces why early detection is more critical than ever.                                      

For any human, the key to beating melanoma is detection at the very earliest stage before it has spread. But researchers at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California determined it is especially crucial when it comes to AYA patients. When found early, adolescents and young adults have a much better chance of surviving melanoma than older adults. But when melanoma has advanced to stage IV, when it is metastatic and has spread through the body, young people have only a 20% chance of surviving melanoma; a much worse rate than adults over the age of 40.

The lead researcher on the project is Dr. Katherine Y. Wojcik. Since the majority of melanoma research is focused on those over the age of 65, Dr. Wojcik felt the need to dive into the realities of the adolescent and young adult populations. ( can we just say a huge THANK YOU for that?!) According to Wojcik, “Advanced melanoma has poor survival, particularly  in AYA’s , yet information on the contributing factors remains scarce, lacking the level of detail readily available for older adult patients”. 

An earlier study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that melanoma is more aggressive and more invasive in young people than older adults. http://bit.ly/37HGxyH

Considering both these studies, with increased rates of diagnosis, it reinforces our belief that prevention through routine skin screening, along with other prevention methods, is a much better solution.

“To improve AYA survival, early melanoma detection is critical, Dr. Wojcik says. “Greater awareness, suspicion and screening for AYA melanoma may disrupt delays in diagnosis and reduce the excess burden of mortality from stage IV melanoma in young people.” http://bit.ly/3XW25ys

We couldn’t agree more. That’s why at the Claire Marie Foundation we continue to shine a light on preventing melanoma in adolescents and young adults through awareness, education and prevention. We are especially proud of our free melanoma skin screening program which has found 16% of the nearly 1,400 young people screened by our dermatological partners, needed biopsy for suspicion of melanoma.  As we say – #preventionisthecure.

#adolescentmelanoma #youngadultmelanoma #sunsafe #skinlove #skinscreenings #cancerprevention #ayacancer #ayamelanoma

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Melanoma: Why The Department of Defense Thinks It’s Worth $40 Million in Fiscal 2022.

They put their lives at risk to defend our nation and trust the U.S. Government will provide for their health and well being along the way.  As we honor Veterans and those currently serving in our Military, let’s take a moment to consider an unexpected risk they did not sign up for; death from melanoma and other skin cancers. 

Melanoma diagnosis is on the rise both among veterans and in active duty service personnel. The numbers are especially high among young people currently serving in the Navy, Marines and Air Force. Those who serve as pilots have the highest rate of diagnosis. 

It’s such a problem that the U.S. Department of Defense has targeted and directed 40 million dollars to melanoma research for Fiscal Year 2022.  Why is military personnel, both past and present, at an accelerated for melanoma? Consider this:

Active military are exposed to extensive and dangerous levels of UV radiation while flying in the air, deployed on ships and assigned to remote harsh environments such as deserts. Sunscreen and UPF 50 clothing are not routinely available nor are annual skin screenings through trained dermatologists.  Add to that years in service, and it is no surprise that so much money needs to be poured into treating melanoma and other skin cancers among our military. 

Here’s a thought; wouldn’t melanoma prevention be a better solution; both in terms of life and economics?  After all, melanoma is one of the most preventable of cancers. 

Prevention is as simple as establishing sun safe education training, providing and distributing ample amounts of sunscreen, incorporating the use of UPF 50 materials in U.S. Military uniforms and off duty attire, and most importantly making routine dermatological skin screenings part of annual military health checks. 

The brave men and women defending our country have enough to worry about. Let’s take melanoma and skin cancers off their plate. 

Interested in learning more? Here’s some insight. 

https://www.skincancer.org/blog/skin-cancer-risk-military/

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Claire Marie Foundation Takes NYC!

 

Bright Lights! Big City! On August 17th, CMF lit up Times Square in New York City with plenty of Claire Coral! The Claire Marie Foundation was one of a handful of nonprofits featured in Times Square as part of  National NonProfit Day! Our :15 second commercial ran 100 times in 6 hours – with 1.5 million impressions and thousands of people reached! That doesn’t even count our social media impact!

 Raising awareness of adolescent and young adult melanoma with the knowledge it can be prevented is the heart of CMF’s mission. We can’t imagine a better way to do it! Co-Founder CEO and Claire’s Mom, Marianne Banister, was joined in the big reveal by Claire Marie Board Members, Jaqueline Smith and Julianne Kavoussi as well as Young Professional Ambassadors Sarah Emrich, Becky Kavoussi and Collegiate Ambassadors Molly Sharpe and Anna Sharpe.

The event was especially meaningful for Claire’s mom.  Claire would be SO excited!  She absolutely loved the energy and excitement of New York!  She had so many happy adventures while visiting the city with her sister Hillary and friends. We can only imagine how excited she would be to see the impact of her legacy in Times Square – spreading so much awareness  and hope in the fight against adolescent and young adult melanoma.”

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Screening To Save Your Life! How To Find the Best Dermatologist

We cannot say it enough! Make sure you are screened annually for melanoma and other skin cancers. It is essential to nip melanoma in the bud, halting its ability to move through your body and threaten your life. But who does the screening and how they screen can make all the difference.  Here’s some tips to keep in mind!

Rule #1: Skip Your Primary Care Physician

Surprise! Pediatricians and General Practitioners do not routinely study dermatology in their medical preparation. That means they are not trained to detect skin cancer and melanoma at its earliest point of origin. The result; melanoma is often overlooked or misdiagnosed at the earliest stage when it is most highly treatable – especially in young people.

Rule #2: Find the Right Dermatologist

Before you book your neighbor’s favorite dermatologist, listen to this: not all dermatologists are equally trained nor have equal focus. Some specialize more in the aesthetic and cosmetic care of the skin. Others offer greater attention to the disease aspects of the skin. Then there are those who are equally balanced in both specialties. Do your homework before making an appointment. Sometimes you can get faster access by booking a screening with a Dermatological Physicians Assistant who has been trained specifically in dermoscopy to screen for melanoma. It’s all a matter of a dermatologists training, focus and expertise – and your ability to find the right person for you.

Rule #3: Advocate For Yourself!

Ask a few questions and make sure you are scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist who meets the Gold Standard of skin screening. This is no time to be shy! You should ask about their screening procedures and expect the following:

  • The dermatologist will put you into a gown and do a full body check for moles and any lesions. That includes the feet, nails, head and genital areas. If a dermatologist suggests you don’t need a full body screening because you are “too young for melanoma”- find a new dermatologist
  • Make sure the dermatologist uses dermoscopy. It is a screening technique that uses skin surface microscopy. It can also be called epiluminoscopy and epiluminescent microscopy. It allows the dermatologist to look into the layers, color patterns and changes deep within the mole, rather than just glancing at the surface.  If a dermatologist wants to evaluate your moles with only their naked eye rather than use a dermatoscope – find a new dermatologist.

Rule #4: What If Something Is Found On My Skin?

Finding an atypical or precancerous mole doesn’t mean you have melanoma. But, it does mean something is changing on a cellular level. Since melanoma in adolescents and young adults is more aggressive and more invasive than in the older adult population – it should always be considered a victory to have an atypical mole removed and evaluated before it can evolve further. Remember: Remove the mole – Remove the risk. 

  • If a mole is found to be questionable, the dermatologist will determine if it should be removed for biopsy or if it should be watched. The appropriate time period for “watching” is three months.  You should also keep a close eye on the mole in question and look for any other changes in your skin. Don’t hesitate to call if something evolves and changes before the scheduled follow-up appointment. And keep that appointment!
  • Many dermatologists will photograph moles they want to keep an eye on to best detect any change. Still others may recommend “mole-mapping” technology in families at high risk for the disease. This involves full body photography. 

So in answer to your question – who do I call? Here’s a few names for those in the Mid-Atlantic area and South Carolina. 

Listed below are the amazing ‘Gold Standard” dermatologists who dedicate their time and expertise to the Claire Marie Free Screening Program and meet the highest standards of care.  All are listed in alphabetical order in the two cities we serve as of Fall 2022.   Many are part of the renown teams at Johns Hopkins Dermatology, Simmons-O’Brien & Orlinsky, Belcara Health,  Germain Dermatology, Maryland Dermatology, Skin & Vein, SCSPhysicians, Mercy Medical Center or University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Hospital. Others are in Private Practice, and extremely attentive to their patient’s care. We are honored, privileged and so very grateful to have them join us in our mission to save young lives. 

Baltimore, Maryland

  • Dr. Melanie Adams, M.D
  • Dr. Karen Beasley, M.D., F.A.A.D
  • Dr. Nicola Bravo, M.D.
  • Dr. Sarah Cannon, M.D.
  • Dr. Bernard Cohen, M.D. 
  • Dr. Sherry Cohen, M.D.
  • Dr. Jennifer Cooper, M.D.
  • Dr. Meg Gerstenblith, M.D.
  • Dr. Anna Grossberg, M.D.
  • Dr. Christian Halvorsen, M.D.
  • Dr. Sarah Hsu, M.D.
  • Dr. Dennis Kurgansky, M.D.
  • Dr. Onah Lauring, M.D.
  • Dr. Mark Lowitt, M.D.
  • Dr. Vadim Gushchin, M.D.
  • Dr. Stanley Miller, M.D.
  • Dr. Diane Orlinsky, M.D. F.A.A.D
  • Dr. Rachel Schleicher, M.D.
  • Dr. Amie Sessa, M.D.
  • Dr. Eva Simmons – O’Brien, M.D., F.A.A.D
  • Dr. Saif Syed, M.D.
  • Dr. Zain Syed, M.D.
  • Dr. Samantha Vincent, M.D.
  • Dr. Margaret Weiss, M.D., F.A.A.D.
  • Dr. Robert Weiss, M.D., F.A.A.D
  • Dr. Sean Wu, M.D.

Charleston, S.C. 

Germain Dermatology

  • Dr. Marguerite Germain, M.D.
  • Dr.Joshua Black, M.D.
  • Louisa Floyd, PA-C
  • Dr. Emily Kmetz, M.D.
  • Lainey O’Donnell, PA-C
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Congratulations to the 2022 Recipient of the Claire Marie Foundation Scholarship in Arts & Design

Congratulations to Brigitte Gendron, the 2022 Recipient of the Claire Marie Scholarship in Arts & Design!

The Notre Dame Preparatory Senior will begin her design studies at Fordham this Fall! Once she gets unpacked and settled, Brigitte is excited to immerse herself in the study of Visual and Concept Arts.  Her dream is to channel all her passion and love of design into a career in the entertainment industry;  in film, television or game design. 

 Every year since 2015, the $5,000 award is given to a graduating senior from Claire’s alma mater, Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson Maryland to support the recipient’s desire to study design arts in college. It was a dream of Claire’s to launch a career in interior design and we are thrilled to see other young women share the same passion and excitement. Each year, our winners are selected by an exquisite team of esteemed design professionals from across the country! They bring expertise in fine arts, theatrical, animation, interiors, fashion, photography and film. Our thanks to our CMF Scholarship Committee: Katie Fico with Walt Disney Animation Studio, Los Angeles based Interior Designer Stacey Vuduris, Theatrical Designer Timothy Swiss of Los Angeles, Photographer Susannah Dowell of Colorado, Muralist and Freelance Artist Katherine Boggs of Atlanta and Couture Designer Ella Pritsker of Maryland.

Brigitte joins past recipients who have studied in Claire’s memory at University of Ohio at Miami, University of Southern California, Rollins College, University of Virginia ,Savannah College of Arts & Design and University of Maryland Baltimore County. 

Brigitte, all the best in your academic and professional adventures! We can’t wait to see the magic you create to brighten the world!

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Heads Up! Before You Pop a Cool One – Alcohol and Risk of Melanoma

Well, here’s a surprise!

Be careful of what you pull from that icy cooler to quench your summer thirst! New research indicates that drinking alcohol can actually make your skin burn in the sun more quickly and more severely! And it’s not just because imbibing may distract you from reapplying sunscreen as often as needed! The alcohol changes your skin on the cellular level, lowering levels of carotenoids and deregulating your immune system.  Dermatologist Dr. Niyati Sharma explains the German study. “One standard drink increases your risk of melanoma by about 20%. If you drink five beers the risk goes up by 55%”.

All this is even more reason to be smart in the sun! Pay attention to the basics! Reapply sunscreen – a shot glass size of liquid sunscreen every two hours, wear UPF50 clothing to offer added protection and get an annual skin screening! Plus – keep an eye out for any unusual changes. 

Here’s a look at the entire article! https://bit.ly/3Pb3Mo4

Above all else – be smart and safe when it comes to both the sun and alcohol! Have a terrific summer!

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Here’s Your Summer Mantra: Sun Care Is Self Care

As we shake off the remnants of the Covid Pandemic, we’re ready to get back to normal – whatever “normal” may be. It’s time to dive into the good stuff! Finally! Make up for lost time! Hang with friends!  Have some fun! Getting a skin screening may not be on the top of that to-do-list. But stay with me for just a minute and I’m going to tell you why it should be; why giving up 10 minutes on a sunny Saturday can make all the difference in your happy, healthy future. It’s all about self care. Because sun care IS self care. 

A new study just released found globally, melanoma diagnosis is expected to surge by 50% in the next 18 years – with a 68% increase in deaths.  Patients who have cancer treatment delayed by even one month can have a six to 13 percent higher risk of dying. 

Since melanoma in adolescents and young adults is especially aggressive, that means early detection through screening is more important than ever. It is essential. Remove the mole – remove the risk of melanoma. The key is melanoma prevention; and it’s as easy as three basic steps:

  • Wear sunscreen SPF30
  • Wear UPF 50 clothing
  • Get an annual Skin Screening with a Dermatologist.

Can’t get into a dermatologist? We’ve got you! At Claire Marie Foundation we are passionate about your skin and thrilled to bring you another day of Free Skin Screenings on May 7th for anyone 13-29 years old! 

Think it none of this applies to you? Ask the young people who were screened at our April 2nd CMF Free Skin Screenings. Nearly 15% were found to need biopsy for suspicion of melanoma. At one location alone, that number surged to 33%.   By taking time to find atypical moles early, they removed the risk of melanoma and can look forward to a healthy safe summer!

There are still plenty of appointments available at our CMF Screening Events May 7th at Johns Hopkins Dermatology at Greenspring Station, Mercy Medical Center Baltimore and SCSPhysicians in Lutherville.  Just pick a location, call and set up the appointment! It’s that easy! Free to anyone 13-29 years old!  All the info is right here:  May 2022 SCREENING DAY

Still need a little nudge? Okay, look at it this way; consider it beach prep! Remember – #awarenesssaveslives We look forward to seeing you there!

 

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Jacqueline’s Story: When It Comes to Melanoma – Expect the Unexpected

 

Is there a better time of life than 22?  All the possibilities of life are before us, ready to be explored.  In 2003, Jacqueline Smith was just 22, fresh out of college and ready to take on the world when she received devastating news; she had Stage III melanoma.  What? How could that be? She was young! She didn’t tan!  She is a woman of color.  How could she have melanoma?

Now, all these years later, Jacqueline shares her story in the hope it raises awareness that everyone is at risk for melanoma no matter their age, gender or race.  As a survivor with a career in patient advocacy and research,  Jacqueline offers this glimpse of what life is like for a young melanoma patient. 

“Sickness has always surrounded me and on November 29, 2006, I learned it had finally engulfed me.  At age 28, during the first semester of my doctoral program in sociology at Syracuse University, I learned I had recurrence of stage III melanoma.  I was devastated. The disease I thought I had beat at age 23 was rearing its ugly head again. Furthermore, the lump I had detected in my bikini line almost a year and a half earlier was not the inflamed lymph node that my gynecologist assured me it was and it was not the result of some minor infection that my primary care provider’s assistant diagnosed.  It was a lymph node filled with cancer. My gynecologist advised, “it is nothing but an inflamed lymph node. If it doesn’t bother you, don’t bother it”.  But it did bother me.  It was not painful but it was unsightly. It was firm and slow growing. Therefore, I wanted this lump removed.  The surgeon performed a needle biopsy. The result? Melanoma.

Again, I was struck with the same question: “how could this be?” I was not a fair skinned, middle-aged Caucasian woman. I was the complete opposite.  I was never a sun-worshipper and have never even entered a tanning salon. I spent all those years performing breast self-exams, watching my salt intake and praying to be saved from diabetes but never did I think I would become a skin cancer patient.  

I sought opinions from several doctors and specialists.  On December 21, 2006, I was told it would be a miracle if I survived another five years.  Needless to say, I spent that holiday season drowning in self-pity and worry mixed with anger and resentment. Though none of us know when we will reach the end, most live everyday with the promise and hope for a new day. However, receiving a cancer diagnosis quickly forces one to face their mortality.

On March 29, 2007, I had a total right groin lymphadenectomy.  I enrolled in the pegylated interferon clinical trial (a form of immunotherapy in which I had to self-administer weekly injections) and subsequently completed 3 months of radiation treatment.  Today, I am thankful to say I am cancer free.

Prior to my diagnosis, I never thought melanoma was a “serious” cancer.  When most people hear of my diagnosis, they assume I simply had a cancerous mole removed.  Few are aware of effects advanced staged melanoma.  I had 16 lymph nodes removed.  I have an eight-inch surgical scar on my right groin and I have a larger radiation scar, which creates a frame around the surgical scar. I have dots permanently tattooed on my right groin marking the radiation site.  I have two permanent scars on my abdomen marking the sight in which I had to administer my interferon injections.  As a result of both surgery and radiation, I suffer from lymphedema in right leg. To keep the lymphedema from progressing, I must wear a compression stocking on my right leg during the day and sleep in a bulky compression brace nightly.  These are things I will have to do for the rest of my life.  I also suffer from cognitive changes resulting from interferon therapy. Advanced melanoma is anything but minor. Fortunately, you can mitigate your risk of developing melanoma. Please, monitor your sub-exposure, diligently wear sunscreen and make sure to see your physician for an annual skin cancer exam.

Jacqueline currently serves in Patient Advocacy and State Government Affairs at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. She is a Doctoral Candidate with over a decade of experience in research, advocacy and cancer survivorship. She sits on a number of Boards including the Claire Marie Foundation and the Melanoma Research Foundation.

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Why is Melanoma Striking So Many Young Men?

Melanoma? It’s a girl thing. Old guys get it.  It only affects fair-skinned people. Right?  Wrong. Dead wrong.

You’ve heard us say it before; If you have skin – you are at risk for melanoma – especially adolescents and young adults who have unique hormonal and lifestyle factors which come into play. The hard truth is this; if not found early – melanoma can kill you.

This Melanoma May, we turn the spotlight on the guys! New research is focused on the surge in the number of young men  between the ages of 15 and 39 who are dying from melanoma. Between 1995 and 2014, diagnosis of melanoma in the head and neck areas increased 51%. Even more unsettling – 60% of those who died – were young men.  Men’s Health Magazine offers a deep dive into the subject! https://bit.ly/3aS21tz

So why are are adolescent boys and young men more at risk?

As in young people of all genders and races, hormones play a roll. In men, it’s believed surging levels of testosterone can kick-start melanoma making it more invasive and aggressive. Researchers at Oxford University found a  new link between higher levels of testosterone in the blood and increased risk of melanoma in men. Other factors are genetics, immune system and an active sun – soaked lifestyle! 13-39 year olds spend a ton of time in the sun, often without a thought to the need for sunscreen or UPF 50 protective clothing. Add to that the bad habit of visiting tanning booths ( did you know one time can increase your risk 75%? ). It all adds up!

Overall, diagnosis is up 253% in all young people in the last 40 years, making melanoma the second most common cancer in adolescents, and the most common cancer in young adults.

What can you do to protect yourself?  Plenty and it is SO simple!

  • Wear sunscreen every day! At least SPF30 and apply every two hours when out in the sun.  Don’t forget your ears and the back of your the neck. Be especially attentive to reapplying when swimming, sweating or going shirtless.
  • Invest in UPF50 clothing and hats for long days in the sun! It blocks 98% of the sun’s damaging rays from your skin. Regular clothing only blocks 6% of the UV rays.
  • Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from Occular Melanoma.
  • Check your body monthly for any skin or mole changes. Keep in mind, melanoma in young people can be colorless, pink or even look like a wart. Listen to that inner voice and make an appointment with a dermatologist should anything look unusual.
  • Get a full-body dermoscopy skin screening by a dermatologist every year.  Your general practitioner may be great, but understand that only a dermatologist is properly trained to catch any potential mole changes at the very earliest point.

There are a number of other factors that can come into play when it comes to melanoma in the adolescent and young adult population. You can learn more here  https://bit.ly/2QK00se  or by checking out the research section on our website www.clairemariefoundation.org

Take care of your skin. Take care of you, and be aware! Because awareness saves lives. 

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